Best Ballroom Dancer

P.J. Mallinckrodt

She whirls, she twirls, she competes in those big fluffy dresses. And she has the best amateur standing in Latin dance in the city -- possibly the country. This year, P.J. Mallinckrodt of Kirkwood has accumulated more titles than a Ford dealership. At the Dancers Cup Grand Ball in Nashville, she took first place in the Open International Latin Championship. At the St. Louis Star Ball, she took first in the Open International Latin Championship. Her list of wins is too long to reproduce here. Occasionally you can spot P.J. out for fun at Club Viva! or Club La Onda on Latin-dance nights. You might even see the tall, stunning brunette on TV. She's got a shot of making it to the Star Ball in November, a televised event that's the ballroom equivalent of the prom. The event she's eyeing is called a "team match," with contestants chosen on the basis of championships they've won this year.